Tragedy struck in the early hours of Wednesday as a fire outbreak ravaged six shops at Damboa Motor Park in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, leaving behind charred remains of goods and property estimated at over ₦4.95 million.
The inferno, which reportedly started around 4:00 a.m., affected several small businesses, including a POS service center, a barbershop, a cosmetics outlet, a shoe cobbler’s stand, and a motor spare parts store.
According to a post on Thursday by security analyst Zagazola Makama on X, “Those affected were identified as Nura Ahmad (POS operator), Yakubu Musa (barber), Usman Salisu (shoe cobbler), Musa Hamza (cosmetics dealer), and Ibrahim Ali (motor spare parts seller).”
Preliminary investigations suggest the fire was caused by a faulty electrical connection.
Operatives of the Federal and State Fire Services responded swiftly and managed to extinguish the flames, while police personnel were deployed to the scene to prevent possible looting and maintain order.
Authorities have since commenced further investigation into the incident